BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > S809

US S809

US S809
Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act

summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

113th Congress

Bill Summary

Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem misbranded any food that has been genetically engineered or contains one or more genetically engineered ingredients, unless such information is clearly disclosed. Exempts from this requirement any food that: (1) is served in restaurants or other similar eating establishments, (2) is a medical food, (3) would be subject to such requirement solely because it was produced using a genetically engineered vaccine, or (4) would be subject to such requirement solely because it includes the use of a genetically engineered processing aid (including yeast) or enzyme. Defines "genetically engineered" as a material intended for human consumption that is: (1) an organism produced through the intentional use of genetic engineering, or (2) the progeny of intended sexual or asexual reproduction (or both) of one or more organisms that is the product of genetic engineering. Defines "genetically engineered ingredient" as an ingredient in a food that is derived from any part of an organism that has been genetically engineered, without regard to whether: (1) the altered molecular or cellular characteristics of the organism are detectable in the material, and (2) the organism is capable for use as human food. Excludes from penalties for misbranding of genetically engineered food or ingredients any recipient that establishes a guaranty or undertaking that: (1) is signed by, and contains the name and address of, a person residing in the United States from whom the recipient received the food in good faith (including the receipt of seeds to grow raw agricultural commodities); and (2) contains a statement to the effect that the food is not genetically engineered or does not contain a genetically engineered ingredient. Applies this exclusion from penalties without regard to the manner in which the recipient uses the food. Excludes an agricultural producer also from such penalties when a violation occurs because food the producer has grown, raised, or otherwise produced, which neither contains nor was produced with a genetically engineered material, is subsequently contaminated with a food that does contain or was produced with a genetically engineered material, and the agricultural producer has not intended any such contamination nor was negligent in the matter.

AI Summary

This bill, the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any food that has been genetically engineered, meaning it was produced through specific scientific processes like recombinant DNA techniques or cell fusion beyond traditional breeding, or contains ingredients derived from such organisms, must be clearly labeled. This labeling requirement aims to provide consumers with knowledge about how their food is produced, aligning with practices in many other countries. However, there are several exemptions: food served in restaurants, medical foods, foods produced using genetically engineered vaccines, and foods that would only require labeling due to the use of genetically engineered processing aids like yeast or enzymes are excluded. The bill also includes provisions to protect recipients of food from penalties for misbranding if they obtain a written guarantee from a U.S.-based supplier stating the food is not genetically engineered, and it exempts agricultural producers from penalties in cases of unintentional contamination with genetically engineered materials, provided they were not negligent.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (18)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 04/24/2013)
(1 Companion Bills)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...